Goalkeeping

Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association is committed to the individual technical development of all soccer players in all positions, including the technical specificity of goalkeepers.

Goalkeeping requires physical technical proficiency in footwork, ball handling (catching), shot stopping, diving, dealing with flighted balls, distribution, including ball skills necessary to deal with back passes. The specificity of the goalkeeping position usually lends itself to training with a “goalkeeper coach”. This is the recommended practice for players who by the ages of 12-14 have decided that goalkeeping is their position.

For those younger players just starting out simple games like “handball” with teammates begins the hand-eye coordination of catching and throwing. Coaches should also make sure to have players “take a turn” as the goalkeeper in practice and in games. This is also a good introduction for young goalkeepers. Check out the goalkeeper specific training sessions using the document search below.